today is the day

We are ready.

So ready.

We spent the day yesterday officially doing *nothing*. But a great deal of our day went to preparing for our girl. We unpacked and organized, put all our clothes away and even did a little laundry. And watched a movie. And played ‘Bookworm’. And ate lots of Chinese noodles. A martyr, I am not.

Late in the afternoon we headed out on foot to the supermarket down the street. Asher had a hard time believing that a supermarket would actually be housed in a high rise building. Between that, the flat escalators and the various and sundry offerings at a Chinese grocery, I think Asher enjoyed the shopping experience greatly.

He made out like a bandit, too: Oreos, milk, Pringles, Sprite and cream wafers. Heck, after the day he’d had the day before, I’d have said yes to just about anything he asked for. Vivi raked it in as well. We picked up some gel cups, sausages (Sophie’s favorites), milk boxes, formula and baby biscuits. And, as emergency back up for our first meeting, a pack of M&Ms. They might not be a panacea for everything, but they sure can cure a lot of what ails a person. Especially when you’re 2.

We were told by our guide that Vivi is, or was until this morning, still with her foster family. Which is wonderful, I would have been sick to think she’d been returned to the orphanage. But what a day she must be having today. My heart breaks for all she will endure on this day, a day our family has prepared for, prayed for and anticipated for close to a year.

But for her, it’s only just beginning.

I might be scared. And the tiniest bit sick to my stomach. But I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.

Bring it on.

“Today is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”~ Psalm 118:24

**because I can’t access blogger here in Nanning (any tips?) I am sending updates to my sweet hubby who is posting them for me. But I can read all your sweet comments 🙂 Also, due to the insanely slow connection, pictures will be few and far between until we get to Guangzhou,where I hope the connection is a bit better.

Praying for Vivi as she goes through lots of last experiences with her foster parents today so that she can have her first experiences with her forever family. I still remember how my Lillie mourned at 30 months of age in Gutian during her adoption. It was just plain terrible to witness. But, as you know this too shall pass. I hear "Mommy, I love you" all the time these days – how can it be two and half years passed already!Praying for strength for you all.ShirleyAnother Gutian Mommy

So happy Asher is feeling better. I posted through my email to blogger while in China. Chris will need to go to settings, choose email & mobile, posting options, complete the email address,then save settings. It was really easy. Then we just emailed our post to the blog. We could not see the blog post but everyone else could, but it was really easy to upload pictures as well. Praying for your family and Vivi today.

Bless you, sweet Stephanie and Asher. Our Chloe also went from loving foster family to new forever family over night. I expected the worst, but she supernaturally transitioned. God is on the throne!!! Hugs to you~

I wish I had some techy secrets for you so we could ALL benefit from seeing some Vivi!! Dang it!

I, too, have been thinking a lot about how Vivi hasn't been preparing for YOU like you have HER. It is so sad – but God's grace & love will cover you and will cover her and cover her foster parents as they say goodbye to this sweet little girl – who now has a forever family.

Glad that your supermarket trip was fruitful! Especially after the trip & all!!! I just can't wait for Vivi-Day – even if we don't get the pics!

So glad to hear you are gearing up to meet your daughter. I have been watching several families & children as they are united. We are due to travel for our son in Ethiopia this spring, but I've been getting that "tug" where SN adoptions from China are concerned. Continuing to pray… thank you for sharing your experiences! And yay for M&M's!! :O)

oh my word. I thought it was the 10th somehow that you were meeting her for the first time.Now I have to wait a whole "nuther" day!Wait. You waited ALMOST a year.I can wait a day. Sorry bout that!I am so happy that Asher is feeling better! Whew!How does it feel to be back in your China again 🙂Josiah was with his foster family until the day he met us as well. I only wish his foster family had been allowed to come with him to meet us.Prayers goin up!

I feel so blessed to be able to read about your journey as you go. This is the first time I've experienced someone elses adoption trip and I'm on p&n just waiting to here more! I will keep praying for everyone!

On another note, can you have Asher remember some advice he would give to another guy his age going on a similar trip this coming fall? Ben's been reading about Asher's experience and is taking notes!!! Take care and many blessings:)

So great to hear from you!! I, and we, are lifting you up over here!!! Prayers for Vivi's precious heart to be ready for the most amazing mom and and family soon!!! I look forward to seeing her with you soon!!!

"The one who calls you is faithful, and He WILL do it!"1 Thessalonians 5:24

Thinking of Vivi and her foster family as well as you and Asher. (Glad he's feeling better!) I forgot about the time difference and was SOOOO excited when I realized that it is already "gotcha day" over in China!

I want to wake up and see that sweet face! I think the M and M's most certainly will cure anything. Good plan! I will most certainly pray and continue to pray for this little one's transition into your arms tomorrow and the next day and every day after!

Hey Stef~ I can feel the butterflies for you!! 🙂 I'm guessing Asher has a few himself… but what an exciting day. I can't wait to see Vivi photos!! We will be praying for all of you, but especially for Vivi that God's grace will comfort her so that she doesn't grieve to heavily in the hours and days to come. Enjoy every moment!!

God has been preparing your sweet girl…she was made for your family! I pray that bowlfuls of grace will be poured on you, Asher, and Vivi over the next few days of the long awaited "meet and get to know each other a little!" 😉 I can't help smiling from ear to ear thinking about the goodness of our Father to orchestrate this down to the tiniest detail. Praying for you all…in China and at home!

Stephanie,I am praying for God to grant you perfect peace as you wait the final few hours before meeting your newest daughter. May He grant you wisdom on how to love her "well" during this time of transition.

Stefanie,So thrilled that you are just hours from meeting your Vivi. I'm gonna' have to get up in the night to check…so that hubby of yours (a military hero to all of us) has got to get up and post….he just HAS to (and then he will be a hero -twice over)!! Your friends are waiting!!

Hello Stephanie from Greeley, CO.Tonight I am praying for you -and looking forward to hearing about you and Asher meeting your sweet Vivi. Praying for your time with her as she grieves and begins the journey of trust!with Love,Lorisa

oh my word….i'm so excited and ready to see pictures i can't stand myself. sorry sorry sorry that asher had such a yucky time. guess chris won't have him in the cockpit with him any time soon!! praying for some swift bonding with miss vivi!

You could have your wonderful husband (or a bloggy friend) go into your blog's settings (settings>email & mobile) and enable email postings. This lets you create a special email address that you can send to. You type an email and send it to the address and it shows up verbatim on the blog.